Ram assembly



United States Patent RAM ASSEMBLY Donald U. Shaffer and John A. Vertson,Brea, Calif, as-

signors to Shaffer Tool Works, Brea, Califl, a corporation of CaliforniaContinuation of application Ser. No. 243,706, Dec. 6,

1962. This application Oct. 21, 1965, Ser. No. 508,630 Int. Cl. F16]15/02; E21b 33/.06 US. Cl. 277-181 20 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREA ram assembly for control gates and the like, in which a laterallymovable ram block holder mounts an axially reversible ram block, the ramblock having an axially reversible rubber assembly comprising a pair ofaxially aligned spaced apart semicircular parts each provided with aninwardly extending flange for interlocking engagement with the ramblock, the semicircular parts having their opposite ends integrallyconnected with a diametrical part of reduced height fitted with upperand lower extrusion plates bonded thereto and arranged to extendtogether with the diametrical part into a groove in the ram block withthe rubber of the diametrical part forming flanges which extend alongthe rear edges of the extrusion plates. At the ends of the semicircularparts, where connected with the ends of the diametrical part, insertplates are provided Which cooperate with the extrusion plates to controlrubber flow when the rubber assembly is subjected to scaling compressiveforces. The rubber assembly is anchored to the ram block by means ofembedded inserts having right angled connecting portions engageable withthe ram block.

This invention relates generally to well drilling equip ment and relatesmore particularly to ram assemblies for control gates such as are usedin the drilling of oil wells and the like, and is a continuation of ourpending application for Ram Assembly, Ser. No. 243,706, filed Dec. 6,1962, which is a continuation-in-part of our copending application forRam Assembly, Ser. No. 119,604, filed June 26, 1961, both of which arenow abandoned.

While the invention has particular utility in connection with ramassemblies for control gates used in the drilling of wells, particularlyoil wells, and is shown and described in such connection, it is to beunderstood that its utility is not confined thereto.

In connection with the terminology used herein it will be of advantageto define the following terms:

Ram assembly.-refers to the entire assembly of ram block, rubberassembly and ram holder.

Rubber assembly.-refers to the assembly comprising the rubber, theextrusion plates, insert plates and T-bolts.

Ram rubber or rubber.refers to that portion only of the assembly that isformed of rubber, a rubber compound, sealing compound, or the like,which meets the sealing and wearing requirements of the sealing elementof rams for control gates used in the well drilling art.

Various difficulties or problems have been encountered in the provisionof ram assemblies for control gates which will meet certain strictspecifications or requirements.

For example, it has been found that ram assemblies may be installedupside down in control gates. This problem is greatly aggravated inlocalities where the workmen have little skill in working with equipmentof the present character and/or are illiterate or do not read English.Of course, when the ram assemblies are installed upside down there ismalfunctioning of the gates and serious trouble may be encounteredbecause of such improper installation.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a ram gateassembly that will overcome this diificulty and solve the probleminvolved.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ram assembly that isreversible; that is, a ram assembly that may be installed with eitherside up and that will work properly regardless of which side is up.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a ram assemblywherein extrusion or flow of rubber outwardly and downwardly isinhibited or prevented, there being means included at the sides of theram assembly which diverts rubber flow inwardly.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rubber assembly havingextrusion plates which are bonded to the rubber and which function aspistons for deflecting rubber flow under pressure.

Another difiiculty or problem involved in equipment of the presentcharacter is that the rubber may be torn or gouged and it is a stillfurther object of the invention to provide a ram assembly wherein therubber will flow into the holes or the torn or gouged places and effectproper sealing at such locations.

It is another object of the invention to provide a rubber having twobands which are isolated from each other.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a rubber exposedover a relatively small area and having an extremely high unit pressure.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a ram assembly thatcan be used in the present gates without redesigning or altering same.

A still further object of the invention. is to provide a ram assemblythat is interchangeable with present ram assemblies.

It is another object of the invention to provide a ram assembly that maybe readily serviced and repaired in the field. For example, the rubberassembly may be readily replaced in the field should it become damagedto such an extent as to require replacement.

It is still another object of the invention to provide plates on therubber which extend outwardly into end portions thereof and giveadditional and more etfective support to the vertical parts.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device of thischaracter having spacer means limiting movement of the plates towardeach other.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide rubber portionsof the seal so formed as to prevent pinching off of the edges thereof.

It is another object of the invention to provide a ram assembly that isreliable and efi'ective in operation.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a ram assemblyhaving a long effective life as compared with present equipment.

A further object of the invention is to ment of this character that isrugged.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide apparatus ofthis character that is simple in construction and operation.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention are furthersufiiciently referred to in connection with the following detaileddescription of the accompanying drawings with respect to onearrangement. After considering this example, skilled persons willunderstand that variations may be made without departing from theprincipals disclosed and any structures, arrangements or modes ofoperation that are properly within the scope of the appended claims arecontemplated.

provide equip- Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrativepurposes only:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a hydraulic control gate with ramassemblies embodying the present invention installed therein, portionsof the gate being broken away to show the interior construction ofcertain parts;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan of the ram assembly with parts thereofbroken away;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the ram assembly; that is, it is a view fromthe diametrical side of the device;

FIG. 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rubber assembly;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative rubber assembly;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4 showing an alternativespreader or spacer construction;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of said spreader orspacer; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of an end portion of therubber assembly.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a control gate,indicated generally at 10, of known type and construction, such as shownin the 1960 General Catalog of Shaffer Tool Works, p. 4936. A briefdescription of this structure is therefore believed to be suflicient.

This control gate has a body 12 with a vertical bore 14 therethrough.There are the usual ram compartments 16, there being a pair of suchcompartments oppositely arranged relative to each other and in the sameplane normal to the axis of the bore 14. There is the usual hydraulicmechanism, indicated generally at 18, for operating the rams and eachsuch mechanism includes a cylinder in which is operably disposed apiston 22 having a piston rod 2.4 which extends through a bore providedtherefor in the body .12. The inner end of the piston rod 24 is providedwith a connecting member 28 having top and bottom grooves 30 whichslidably receive oppositely arranged flanges 32 at the outer end of arecess 34 in the ram block holder, indicated generally at 3 6. Thehydraulic mechanism 18 actuates the ram assemblies between the openposition whereat said assemblies are at their outer position, and theclosed position whereat the inner diametrical sides of said assembliesare in contact with each other and with a pipe disposed in the axialbore 14 when there is such a pipe therein.

Since the ram assemblies 36 are the same, a description of one willsuffice.

The ram assembly comprises the ram block holder 36, ram blocks,indicated generally at 42, and a rubber assembly, indicated generally at44.

The rubber assembly is best shown in FIG. 5 and comprises the rubber,indicated generally at 45. Rubber comprises a pair of axially alignedsemicircular parts 46 axially spaced apart from each other. Each of theparts 46 is provided with an inwardly extending flange 47 along theinner side thereof, the outer side 48 of said flange being spacedinwardly from the outer surface 49 of the part 46. The surface 48 isnormal to the axis of the rubber assembly. It is to be noted that theinner edge of the flange 47 is rounded, as at 50. It is also to be notedthat the radial extent of the flange 47 is greatest at the center andtapers towards the ends where it merges with the inner side 51 of thepart 46 at a location 52 which is spaced inwardly from the adjacent freeend of said part 46. This arrangement greatly facilitates installationof the rubber on the ram block.

Connecting the ends of the parts 46 of the rubber is a rubber part,indicated generally at 53, which will be termed the diametrical part,although said part 53 has an arcuate central portion 54 between andconnecting the inner ends of radial portions 55. Portion 54 is coaxialwith the semicircular parts 46 but is on a substantially smaller radiuswith the interior surface adapted to sealingly engage a pipe disposed inthe vertical bore 12 of the gate.

The thickness of the diametrical part is less than the distance betweenthe adjacent inner sides 58 of the semicircular parts 46 but the ends ofthe radial portions of the diametrical part 53 are connected with theadjacent end portions of the parts 46 so that when viewed from thediametrical side of the rubber assembly the radial portions 55 formoppositely arranged Ts with the end portions of said semicircular partsand the connecting portions between said end portions and the ends ofthe radial portions, said Ts being on their sides.

Along the rear edges of the radial portions 55 and the integral arcuateportion are upwardly and downwardly extending flanges 60.

At each side of the diametrical part 53 is an extrusion plate 62, saidplates being the same. The top and bottom sides of the extrusion plates62 are parallel and each plate comprises radial portions 63 joined attheir inner ends by an arcuate portion 64. The inner edges 65 of saidplates albut against the adjacent inner axially extending surfaces 66 ofthe respective flanges 60. The width of the extrusion plates is suchthat the inner edges are spaced outwardly from the plane of the innersides of the respective radial portions 55 and arcuate portion 54 of thediametrical part of the rubber so that there is an inner edge portion 68of the diametrical part that extends beyond the plane of the adjacentcorresponding portions of the extrusion plates. It is to .be noted thatthe thickness of the extrusion plates is the same as the axial dimensionof the flanges 60. The sides and edges of the extrusion platescontacting the respective parts of the diametrical part 53 of the rubberare bonded thereto by any suitable well known means.

Each of the radial portions 55 of the diametrical part of the rubber isprovided with a T-bolt 70. Each bolt 70 has a cross-piece 71 at theinner end embedded in the respective radial portions 55 and of a lengthequal to the thickness thereof. At the ends of the cross-piece arereduced diameter parts 72 which extend axially outwardly of therespective cross-piece ends and said reduced diameter parts are receivedin openings provided therefor in the respective parts 63 of theextrusion plates 62. At the inner ends of the reduced diameter parts 72are shoulders 71a which are substantially flush with the respectiveadjacent faces or surfaces of the diametrical part of the rubber, saidshoulders being engaged by the extrusion plates and limit compressionmovement of the plates toward each other and prevent said plates frombeing displaced. Bolts 70 extend outwardly of the radial portions '55 atan angle substantially normal thereto and the outer free ends of saidbolts 70 are externally threaded, as a 74, for reception of nuts 75, thepurpose of which will be hereinafter described.

Rubber assembly 44 also includes inserts or insert plates which arereceived in notches 81 provided therefor in the outer sides of therubber and at the free ends of the semicircular parts 46. Each plate 80is provided with an internal rib 82 which extends across the inner faceof said insert in a plane substantially normal to the axis of the rubberand the ribs 82 are received in corresponding grooves 83 providedtherefor in the adjacent parts of the rubber, plates 80 having theirinner faces and outer edges bonded to the surfaces of the rubber againstwhich these parts of the plates 80 abut. It is to be noted that each ofthe ridges 82 is somewhat rounded at each side of its base, as indicatedat 84, and at the apex 85, the latter being positioned in a planesubstantially midway between the top and bottom sides of the radialportions 55 and extending inwardly. Each plate 80 is also provided withan external lug 86 extending from the front edge of the plate 80 to therear edge and in a plane normal to the axis of the rubber, lugs 86 beingsubstantially midway between the top and bottom ends of the inserts 80.

The ram block 42 comprises a metal body 90 of generally semicircularshape. At the upper aud lower outer arcuate edges the body 90 isprovided with recesses 92 which extend throughout the length of thearcuate side of the body 90. Each recess 92 receives one of thesemicircular parts 49 of the rubber and each of the grooves 92 isprovided with an inwardly extending recess 93 of the same shape andextend as the flange 47 of the respective semi-circular part 46, thegroove 93 receiving said flange, as best shown in FIG. 4.

The inner side of the body is provided with a groove 95 in which isoperably disposed the diametrical part of the rubber together with theextrusion plates bonded thereto, it being noted that there are inneredge portions of the extrusion plates that project ouwardly somewhat ofthe inner side 96 of the body.

Body 90 has a recess 98 adjacent each free end, the recesses 98extending inwardly from the outer side of the block body 9t), therecesses 98 being closed at their forward ends by walls 99. Spacedinwardly of said recesses 98 are recesses 10!) which extend a limiteddistance inwardly from the outer side of the body 90 and are closed attheir inner ends by walls 101. Bores 102 extend inwardly from the walls101 for reception of the bolts 70, the outer threaded end portions ofsaid bolts extending into the recesses 100 and the nuts 75 on saidthreaded end portions are turned against the walls 101 thereby operablysecuring the rubber assembly 44 and the block 42 together and providinga ram block and rubber assembly.

Ram block holder 36 comprises a body of suitable steel alloy and has asemicircular or arcuate configuration 112 at its inner side for operablereception of the assembly comprising the ram block and rubber assembly.There are the usual relatively large pockets 114 at each outer side ofthe holder. From each pocket there is an opening 116 through the bodyand into the semicircular part 112. The ram block is provided with bores11 8 aligned with respective openings 116, the inner end portions 120 ofsaid bores 118 being of reduced diameter and also being tapped. Thusthere is a shoulder 122 at the outer end of the reduced diameter portion120. There are a pair of retracting screws, indicated generally at 126,having a smooth shank portion 128 provided with a shoulder 130intermediate the ends thereof which is adapted to abut against theshoulder 122 of the ram block. Bolt 126 has a reduced diameter free endportion 132 which is externally threaded for screwing into the part 120of the respective bore of the block 42. The smooth shank portion 128 ofeach bolt is loosely received in its respective opening 116 and there isa head 134 on said bolt which engages an upturned annular lip 136 aboutthe outer end of the opening 116. When the bolts 126 are screwed intightly the shoulder 130 of the bolt is in abutment with the shoulder122 in the bore 118 to thereby limit the drawing together of the blockand holder so as to permit proper functioning of the ram assembly, aswill be more particularly described hereinafter.

It is to be noted that the recess 34 at the outer side of the ram blockholder extends between pockets 114. The connecting member 28 isreceivable in either pocket and slidable into the recess 34 from eitherend thereof, the flanges 32 at the outer sides of the recess 34 beingslidably received in the grooves 30 at the outer side of the connectingmember 28.

Ram block holder 36 is provided at its free ends with internal recesses140 which extend inwardly from the free ends and slidably receive theends 86 of the insert plates 80 to thereby hold said plates againstvertical movement or movement longitudinally of the ram assembly.

At the outer sides of the free end portions of the holder 36 there arelugs 141 of known character which slidably engage the respective sidewalls of the respective ram compartments or chambers to prevent tiltingof said rams in a horizontal plane and operably guide them in saidchambers.

There is also self-centering means provided which comprises angularguides 145 integral with the ram block and protruding alternately topand bottom, so that as the ram assemblies move toward their closedposition, the angular guides engage the drill pipe and center it in thebore of the ram. Opposite each angular guide 145 the ram block isprovided with recesses 146 so that said recesses are arrangedalternately top and bottom and as the ram assemblies continue closingthe angular guides are received in or telescoped into the respectivecorresponding recesses of the opposite ram block, thus permitting atight seal between adjacent abutting parts of the oppositely arrangedram assemblies.

It will be noted that the semicircular parts 46 of the rubber aredisposed between the ram block and adjacent portions of the ram blockholder, as best shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4.

When the block assemblies are installed in a gate they are movable froman open or extended position, such as shown in FIG. 1, to a closedposition by means of the hydraulic mechanisms 18. When said ramassemblies are moved in a closing direction the leading faces of thediametrical part of the rubber of the respective assemblies will firstengage each other and the arcuate portion 54 will engage the pipedisposed in the vertical bore 14 of the gate.

It is to be noted that while the outer arcuate surface of thesemicircular parts 46 of the rubber are in contact with the adjacentsurfaces of the ram block holder there is a space between the outerarcuate surface of the ram block and the adjacent arcuate surface 112 ofthe ram block holder.

Continued inward pressure by the hydraulic mechanism 18 will cause acompression of the semicircular parts 46 of the rubber as well as thediametrical part of said rubber, the compression of the semicircularparts 46 being limited by engagement of the adjacent arcuate surfaces ofthe ram block and of the ram block holder when there has been relativemovement t-herebetween equal to the radial spacing of the outer arcuatesurface of the ram block and the inner arcuate surface 112 of the ramblock holder.

When the ram assemblies are in the open position and are not underpressure the exposed surface portions of the semicircular parts projectoutwardly a certain distance from the plane of the respective adjacentsides of the ram block and the ram block holder. When the ram assembliesare in the closed position these exposed surfaces of the semicircularparts 46 at the top are in engagement with the upper inside faces 151 ofthe ram compartments 16 and when the ram assemblies are in closedposition said semicircular parts 46 at the top of the assembly areforced into tight sealing engagement with said surfaces 151, said uppersemicircular parts being compressed and squeezed upwardly.

When the ram assemblies are moved] to the closed position thediametrical parts of the opposed ram block assemblies are alsocompressed so that they flow somewhat under such compression. As theassemblies are forced to their fully closed position the exposed edgeportions of the extrusion plates 62 come together as the diametricalpart of the rubber is compressed and said extrusion plates are forcedinwardly into the recess 95. As the plates 62 move in this manner theyexert pressure on the respective flanges 60 of the rubber and act aspistons which force the rubber to flow toward the diametrical sides ofthe ram block assemblies, as indicated by the arrows 153 in FIG. 4.

The compression of the rubber when the ram block assemblies are moved tothe closed position also causes rubber flow at the free ends of therubber but this flow is diverted from the outer ends of the radialportions 55 inwardly toward the inner ends of said radial portions bythe ribs 82, as indicated by the arrows 155 in FIGS. 3 and 5.

When the hydraulic mechanisms 18 operate to move the ram assemblies tothe open position the pull is on the ram block holder and the latter ismoved along with the holder because of the connection provided by theretracting screws 128, the rubber assembly being moved along with theram block since said rubber assembly is operably connected to the ramblock by means of the bolts 70.

It is to be noted that the exposed areas of the rubber are relativelysmall and hence an extremely high unit pressure is secured at thesealing surface.

While the invention is shown and described embodied in ram assembliesfor closing around pipe, it is to be understood that it may also beembodied in ram assem blies of the complete shut-off type.

The rubber assembly of the arrangement shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, inclusive,comprises the rubber, indicated generally at 45a, which includes a pairof axially aligned semicircular parts 46a axially spaced apart from eachother. Each of the parts 46a is provided with an inwardly extendingflange 47a along the inner side thereof eccentric to the part 46a, theupper side 48a of said flange being spaced inwardly from the outersurface 49a of the part 46a, the surface 48a being normal to the axis ofthe rubber assembly.

It is to be noted that the inner edge of the flange 47a is rounded, asat 50a, and it is also to be noted that the radial extent of the flange47a is greatest at the center and tapers towards the ends where itmerges with the inner side 51a of the part 46a at a location 52a whichis spaced inwardly from the adjacent free end of said part 46a. Thisarrangement facilitates installing the rubber on the ram block.

When the rubbers are under operating pressure the rubber will flowupwardly and the edges will be pinched off under certain well knownconditions. In order to overcome this difficulty and solve a seriousproblem the inner and outer upper edges 46]) and 46c of the parts 46aare beveled. Also the other outer edges 4M of said parts 46a arebeveled; that is, the adjacent outer edges of said parts 46a.

Connecting the ends of the parts 46a of the rubber is a rubber part 53awhich will be termed the diametrical part and which extends entirelyacross the diametrical part of the rubber since it is for completeshut-off rams.

The thickness of the diametrical part is the distance between theadjacent inner sides 58a of the semicircular parts 46a but the ends ofsaid diametrical part 53a are connected with the adjacent end portionsof the parts 46a so that when viewed from the diametrical side of therubber assembly said diametrical part and said end portions of the parts46a form a reclining I.

Along the rear edges of the radial portion 53a are upwardly anddownwardly extending flanges 60a.

At the top and bottom sides of the diametrical part 53 is a straightextrusion plate 62a, said plates being the same. The top and bottomsides of the extrusion plates 62a are parallel. The inner edges 65a ofsaid plates abut against the adjacent inner axially extending surfaces66a of the respective flanges 60a. The width of the extrusion plates issuch that the inner edges are spaced outwardly from the plane of theinner sides of the diametrical part 53a, so that there is an inner edgeportion 68a of the diametrical part that extends beyond the plane of theadjacent corresponding portions of the extrusion plates. It is to benoted that the thickness of the extrusion plates is the same as theaxial dimension of the flanges 60a. The sides and edges of the extrusionplates contacting the respective parts of the diametrical part 53a ofthe rubber are bonded thereto by any suitable means well known in theart.

In order to give effective support for the vertical portions of therubber at the diametrical side thereof, end portions 62b of the plates62a extend into said end portions, as best shown in FIG. 9, the frontcorners of said end portions being cut off at 62c.

Adjacent each end of the diametrical part 53a of the rubber there isprovided a spacer or separator which includes a central body 171embedded in the diametrical part. From the opposite ends of said body171 are axially aligned oppositely extending stub shafts 172 whichextend into openings 173 provided therefor in the extrusion plates 62a.At shafts 172 are shoulders 173 which are substantially flush with therespective adjacent faces or surfaces of the diametrical part of therubber, said shoulders being engageable by the extrusion plates andlimit compression movement of the plates toward each other and preventsaid plates from being displaced.

Stub shafts 172 are of less length than thethickness of said plate 62aand the outer ends of the openings 173 are filled with rubber, asindicated at 17 4.

The body 171 of each of the spacers or separators has a rearwardlyprojecting and tapered parts 176 which has a rearwardly opening tappedbore 177 therein with a flat wall 178 at the closed forward end.

There is a cap screw, indicated generally at 180, for each of thespacers or separators, said cap screw having a smooth shank 181 with anexternally threaded portion 182 at one end and a head 183 at theopposite end. The threaded ends of said cap screws are screwed into therespective tapped openings 177 and each of said cap screws has a freeend portion 185 of reduced diameter having a flat end 186 and each ofthe cap screws is screwed against the wall 178 of the tapped bore 177 tothereby position the head 183 a predetermined distance rearwardly.

Cap screws 180 extend outwardly of the diametrical portion 53a at anangle substantially normal thereto and the heads 183 of said screws arereceived in the recesses 100 of the block body and engage the innerwalls 101 of said recesses.

We claim:

1. In a ram assembly for installation in control gates and the like:

(A) a ram block holder having a semicircular recess in one side;

(B) a ram block having a semicircular side and a diametrical side;

(C) means operably securing the ram block in the semicircular recess ofthe holder with the semicircular side of the block adjacent the wall ofthe semicircular recess of the holder, said means providing for limitedmotion between said ram block and ram block holder;

(D) a reversible, symmetrical rubber comprising a pair of like axiallyspaced semicircular flanged parts operably disposed between the ramblock and the ram block holder and normally resiliently spacing said ramblock from the ram block holder, said rubber also having a diametricalpart interconnecting the ends of said semicircular parts and received ina groove provided therefor in the diametrical side of the ram block;

(E) extrusion means disposed in said groove and at the top and bottomsides of the diametrical part of said rubber;

(F) means operably connecting the extrusion means and the diametricalpart of the rubber to said ram block;

(G) and a rubber flow diverter means carried by the ends of thediametrical part of the rubber for diverting rubber flow inwardly at therespective ends of said diametrical part.

2. In a ram assembly for installation in control gates and the like:

(A) a ram block holder having a semicircular recess in one side;

(B) a ram block having a semicircular side and a diametrical side;

(C) means operably securing the ram block in the semicircular recess ofthe holder with the semicircular side of the block adjacent the wall ofthe semicircular recess of the holder, said means providing for limitedmotion between said ram block holder;

(D) a reversible, symmetrical rubber comprising a pair of like axiallyspaced and aligned semicircular flanged parts operably disposed betweenthe ram block and the ram block holder and normally resiliently spacingsaid ram block from the ram block holder, said rubber also having adiametrical part interconnecting the ends of said semicircular parts andreceived in a groove provided therefor in the diametrical side of theram block;

(E) extrusion means disposed in said groove and at the top and bottomsides of the, diametrical part of said rubber;

(F) means operably connecting the extrusion means and the diametricalpart of the rubber to said ram block;

(G) and diverter plates secured to each end of said diametrical part fordiverting rubber flow inwardly at the respective ends of saiddiametrical part.

3. In a ram assembly for installation in control gates and the like:

(A) an axially reversible ram block holder having a semicircular recessin one side;

(B) a ram block having a semicircular side and a diametrical side with alongitudinally extending groove therein open at the inner side andclosed at the outer side, said groove having walls respectively inwardlyspaced from the adjacent outer surfaces of the ram block;

(C) means operably securing the ram block in the semicircular recess ofthe holder with the semicircular side of the block adjacent the wall ofthe semicircular recess of the holder, said means providing for limitedmotion between said ram block and ram block holder;

(D) a rubber including a diametrical part received in said groove in thediametrical side of the ram block;

(E) and extrusion means adhesively secured to the rubber and operablydisposed in said groove for forcing rubber flow from the closed side ofsaid groove toward the open side.

4. In a rubber for a ram assembly:

(A) upper and lower semicircular parts spaced apart longitudinally ofthe axis of said rubber, each of said parts having an inwardlyprojecting flange along adjacent inner edges, said flanges beingradially widest at the center and tapering towards the ends where theymerge with the end portions of said parts and having adjacent freecorner parts rounded in cross section;

(B) and an integral diametrical part connected to the ends of saidsemicircular parts.

5. In a ram assembly for installation in control gates and the like:

(A) an axially reversible ram block holder having a semicircular recessin the inner side;

(B) a ram block having a semicircular side and a diametrical side;

(C) means operably securing the ram block in the semicircular side ofthe block adjacent the wall of the semicircular recess of the holder,said means providing for limited motion between said ram block and ramblock holder;

(D) and a reversible rubber comprising a pair of axially spaced,corresponding semicircular parts operably disposed between the ram blockand the ram block holder and normally resiliently spacing said ram blockfrom the ram block holder, said semicircular parts having flanges ontheir inner sides received in grooves provided therefor in the ram blockfor retaining said parts in position on said block, said rubber alsohaving a diametrical part interconnecting the ends of said semicircularparts and received in a groove provided therefor in the diametrical sideof the ram block.

6. In a ram assembly for installation in control gates and the like:

(A) an axially reversible ram block holder having a semicircular recessin the inner side;

(B) a ram block having a semicircular side and a diametrical side;

(C) means operably securing the ram block in the semicircular side ofthe block adjacent the wall of the semicircular recess of the holder,said means providing for limited motion between said ram block and ramblock holder;

(D) and a reversible rubber comprising a pair of axially spaced,corresponding semicircular parts operably disposed between the ram blockand the ram block holder and normally resiliently spacing said ram blockfrom the ram block holder, said semicircular parts having flanges ontheir inner sides received in grooves provided therefor in the ram blockfor retaining said parts in position on said block, said rubber alsohaving a diametrical part interconnecting the ends of said semicircularparts and received in a groove provided therefor in the diametrical sideof the ram block, and upstanding and depending flanges extendinglongitudinally of said diametrical part and at the closed side of thegroove of the ram block;

(E) and extrusion plates of substantially uniform thickness bonded tothe upper and lower sides of the diametrical part of the rubber and tothe flanges thereof, the edges of the plates at the open side of thegroove in the ram block extending outwardly thereof and the adjacentedge of the diametrical part of the rubber extending outwardly beyondthe projecting edges of said plates.

7. The invention defined by claim 6, including means securing thediametrical part of the rubber and the extrusion plates to the block,said latter means providing for movement thereof inwardly of said groovebut limiting movement outwardly of said groove.

8. In a rubber assembly:

(A) semicircular sealing means;

(B) an integral diametrical part interconnecting the ends of saidsemicircular sealing means;

(C) and spacer members extending parallel to the axis of the rubber andembedded in the diametrical part thereof at opposite sides of the axisof said rubber, said members having stem portions which extend outwardlyof the top and bottom sides of the diametrical part parallel to the axisof said rubber, there being shoulders at the respective inner ends ofsaid stems, said shoulders being substantial- 1y flush with therespective adjacent sides of said diametrical part, said members havingrearwardly opening tapped bores therein axially aligned with openings inthe rubber portion for reception of securing bolts.

9. A ram assembly for operable installation in control gates and thelike, comprising:

(A) a rubber having a pair of similar semicircular parts aligned witheach other and axially spaced apart axially relative to said rubber, anda diametrical part in a plane intermediate the planes of saidsemicircular parts, said diametrical part including a centralsemicircular portion and radial portions between the ends of thesemicircular portions and the ends of the semicircular parts;

(B) interior flanges on the semicircular parts at the adjacent axialends thereof, said flanges being radially widest at their centers andtapering toward the ends to merge with the inner sides of the respectivesemicircular parts adjacent the free ends thereof;

(C) upwardly and downwardly extending flanges on the diametrical part atthe outer side thereof;

(D) top and bottom extrusion plates each having parallel top and bottomsides, said plates conforming to the shape of the diametrical part andbonded to the top and bottom surfaces and to the flanges of saiddiametrical part;

( E) external insert plates at the ends of the diametrical side of therubber, said insert plates being received in recesses provided thereforin the rubber and bonded to the walls defining said recesses, therebeing internal ribs on said insert plates normal to the axis of therubber and received in grooves provided therefor in the adjacentportions of the rubber, said insert plates having external transverselugs thereon normal to the axis of said rubber;

(F) a ram block of generally semicircular shape having recesses thereinfor reception of the rubber assembly;

(G) means securing the rubber assembly to said ram block;

(H) a holder adapted to be connected to actuating means, said holderhaving a semicircular recess at the inner side in which the ram blockand rubber assembly is operably disposed;

(I) and retraction means for operably securing the ram block and theholder together, the outer surface of the block being normally spacedfrom the wall of the semicircular recess of the holder while the arcuateouter sides of the semicircular parts of the rubber are in engagementwith adjacent areas of the wall of the semicircular recess of saidholder, said holder having internal horizontal grooves at the ends ofsaid recess of said holder for reception of the inserts so as to holdsaid inserts against vertical movement.

10. A ram assembly for operable installation in control gates and thelike, comprising:

(A) a rubber having a pair of similar semicircular parts aligned witheach other and spaced apart vertically and a diametrical part in a planeintermediate the planes of said semicircular parts;

(B) interior flanges on the semicircular parts at the adjacentlongitudinal ends thereof;

(C) upwardly and downwardly extending flanges on the diametrical part atthe side facing the semicircular parts;

(D) top and bottom extrusion plates of substantially uniform thickness,said plates conforming to the shape of the diametrical part and bondedto the top and bottom surfaces and to the flanges of said diametricalpart;

(B) a ram block of generally semicircular shape having grooves thereinfor operable reception of the rubber assembly;

(F) and means securing the rubber assembly and the extrusion plates tosaid ram block, said means pro viding for movement of the diametricalpart of the rubber and the extrusion plates inwardly relative to therecesses in which they are disposed, but holding same againstdisplacement from said recess.

11. In a rubber for a ram assembly:

(A) upper and lower similar semicircular parts spaced apartlongitudinally of the axis of said rubber, each of said parts having aninwardly projecting flange along adjacent inner edges, said flangesbeing radially widest at the center and tapering towards the ends wherethey merge with the end portions of said parts and having adjacent freecorner parts rounded in cross-section;

(B) and an integral diametrical part connected to the ends of saidsemicircular parts.

12. In a rubber for a ram assembly:

(A) upper and lower similar semicircular parts spaced apartlongitudinally of the axis of said rubber, each of said parts having aninwardly projecting flange along adjacent inner edges, said flangesbeing radially widest at the center and tapering towards the ends;

(B) and an integral diametrical part connected to the ends of saidsemicircular parts.

13. A separator for a ram rubber assembly:

(A) a body;

( B) axially aligned oppositely extending stems at opposite ends of saidbody, there being shoulders at the respective inner ends of said stems,said body having a tapped bore therein having an axis normal to the axisof said stems; said bore being open at one end and closed at the otherend;

(C) and a bolt having a head at one end and having a portion of theopposite end externally threaded for threadable reception in said tappedopening, the latter end of said bolt having a free end portion ofreduced diameter for seating on the inner closed end of said tappedbore.

14. In a rubber assembly for a ram assembly:

(A) upper and lower similar semicircular parts spaced apartlongitudinally of the axis of said rubber, each of said parts having aninwardly projecting flange along adjacent inner edges, said flangesbeing widest at the center and tapering towards their ends, an integraldiametrical part at the diametrical side, said part including radialportions connected with respective end portions of said semicircularparts and an arcuate semicircular portion connecting the ends of saidradial portions and adapted to engage a pipe, there being grooves in theexterior sides of the end portions of the rubber;

(B) T-shaped means having cross pieces at their inner ends embedded inthe respective radial portions of the rubber with the stems of saidT-shaped means extending outwardly substantially normal to said radialportions, said T-shaped means having reduced diameter free end portionsextending outwardly of and normal to the adjacent sides of said radialportions;

(C) upwardly and downwardly extending flanges along the outer edges ofthe radial portions and the arcuate portion of the diametrical part ofthe rubber;

(D) extrusion plates at the top and bottom sides of the diametricalportion and shaped to conform to the radial portions and arcuate portionthereof, said extrusion plates being bonded to the top and bottom sidesand the flanges of said diametrical part and having openings therein forreception of the reduced diameter end parts of the crosses of theT-shaped means;

( E) inserts at opposite sides of the end portions of the rubber, saidinserts having parts received in the groove in the exterior sides of theend portions of the rubber, said inserts being bonded to the rubber;

(-F) and exterior, transverse lugs on said inserts.

15. In a rubber assembly:

(A) semicircular sealing means including a diametrical part;

(B) extrusion plates at the top and bottom sides of said diametricalpart;

(C) and T-bolts having cross-pieces at their inner ends embedded in thediametrical part at opposite sides of the axis of the rubber, saidT-bolts having end portions received in openings provided therefor insaid extrusion plates, said T-bolts limiting movement of said extrusionplates outwardly of said diametrical part and for keeping the front faceof diametrical part of the rubber from blowing out.

16. In a rubber for a ram assembly:

(A) upper and lower similar semicircular parts spaced apartlongitudinally of the axis of said rubber, each of said parts having aninwardly projecting flange along adjacent inner edges, said flangesbeing radially widest at the center and tapering towards the ends wherethey merge with the end portions of said parts and having adjacent freecorner parts rounded in cross section;

(B) and an integral diametrical part connected to the ends of saidsemicircular parts, said diametrical part having a longitudinal axiscentrally spaced between said semicircular parts, whereby said rubber isaxially reversible.

17. In a rubber for a ram assembly:

(A) upper and lower reversible semicircular parts spaced apartlongitudinally of the axis of said rubber, each of said parts having aninwardly projecting flange along adjacent inner edges, said flangesbeing radially widest at the center and tapering towards the ends;

(B) and an integral diametrical part connected to the ends of saidsemicircular parts.

18. In a reversible rubber assembly:

(A) semicircular sealing means;

(B) an integral diametrical part interconnecting the ends of saidsemicircular sealing means;

(C) and means for securing said rubber assembly to a ram block, saidmeans including parts parallel to the axis of said rubber embedded inthe diametrical part at opposite sides of the axis of the rubber, saidparts having reduced diameter portions which extend outwardly of the topand bottom sides of the diametric al part parallel to the axis of saidrubber, there being shoulders at the respective inner ends of thereduced diameter portions, said sthoulders being substantially flushwith the respective adjacent sides of said diametrical part, and amember between said shoulders extending at a right angle to said partfor engaging with the ram block.

19. In a rubber assembly for a ram:

(A) a pair of similar semicircular sealing parts aligned with each otherand spaced apart axially with ad jacent free ends connected together byvertical parts, and a diametrical part connecting together said verticalparts;

(B) upward and downwardly extending flanges on the diametrical part atthe side facing the semicircular parts;

(C) and top and bottom extrusion plates of substantially uniformthickness, said plates conforming to the shape of the diametrical partand bonded to the top and bottom surfaces and to the flanges of saiddiametrical part, said plates having end portions extending into saidvertical parts.

20. In a ram assembly for installation in control gates and the like:

(A) a ram block holder having a semicircular recess in the inner side;

(B) a ram block having a semicircular side and a di ametrical side;

(C) means operably securing the ram block in the semicircular side ofthe block adjacent the wall of the semicircular recess of the holder,said means providing for limited motion between said ram block and ramblock holder;

(D) a rubber comprising a pair of axially spaced, correspondingsemicircular parts operably disposed between the ram block and the ramblock holder and normally resiliently spacing said ram block from theram block holder, said semicircular parts having flanges on their innersides received in grooves provided therefor in the ram block forretaining said parts in position on said block, said rubber also havinga diametrical part interconnecting the ends of said semicircular partsand received in a groove provided therefor in the diametrical side ofthe ram block;

(E) said diametrical part of said rubber having upstanding and dependingflanges extending longitudinally of said diamctrical part and at theclosed side of the groove of the ram block;

(F) extrusion plates of substantially uniform thickness bonded to theupper and lower sides of the diametrical part of the rubber and to theflanges thereof, the edges of the plates at the open side of the groovein the ram block extending outwardly thereof and the adjacent edge ofthe diametrical part of the rubber extending outwardly beyond theprojecting edges of said plates;

(G) and means securing the diametrical part of the rubber and theextrusion plates to the block, said latter means providing for movementthereof inwardly of said groove but limiting movement outwardly of saidgroove.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,861,614 6/ 1932 Schweitzer277-129 XR 1,963,683 6/1934 Shaffer 251-1 1,967,417 7/1934 Martin277-126 2,060,248 11/1936 Schweitzer 277-129 2,194,255 3/1940 Allen277-73 2,246,709 6/1941 Allen 277-129 2,604,903 7/ 1952 Neilon 277-62,690,320 9/1954 Shaffer et a1 277-73 XR 2,912,214 11/1959 Allen et a1.277-127 3,132,662 5/1964 Allen 251-1 XR WILLIAM F. ODEA, PrimaryExaminer. RICHARD GERARD, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 251-1; 277-73, 129, 227; 137-315 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 ,434 ,729 March 25 DonaldU. Shaffer et a1.

It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

"deflecting" should read effecti Column 2, line 18,

"upward" should read upwardly Column 13, line 35,

Signed and sealed this 28th day of April 1970.

(SEAL) Attest:

WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER,

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Commissioner of Pan Attesting Officer

